Match of the Round
Maitland FC v Lake Macquarie City FC
Cooks Square Park, Sunday 4pm
Maitland FC coach Joe Wright says that his side maintains their underdog status despite sitting at the top of the table as they prepare to face Lake Macquarie City FC at Cooks Square Park on Sunday.
The Magpies have been flying high so far this season with five wins and one draw under their belt and are the only side to be unbeaten in the competition after seven rounds.
They sit at the top of the table, one point ahead of the rest of the pack.
Wright said that his squad hasn’t let its league leader status affect them.
“We like being the underdog and the quality of the underdog is something in the Maitland identity and DNA,” Wright said.
“I don’t think that will change the way we do anything. The most important thing to do is that our internal processes are correct.
“It is just one game at a time for us. We are just focusing on the next job.”
But Maitland will face Lakes this weekend, who are the only team to have taken points off them this season after a 1-1 draw in round one.
Wright admitted he felt more prepared for the round eight fixture than the opening round.
“I think it is interesting getting to this point of the season when you have played everyone once and have a better grasp about what teams are about,” Wright said.
“I think there is a little more data to have a look at and it will help in our preparation.
“For us, you have to learn lessons from games in the past, but we have learned from those.”
The Magpies have lost multiple players so far this season due to injury but have remained undefeated which Wright said is a credit to the depth of his squad.
“I think that we have good versatility as we have players that can play in multiple positions,” Wright said.
“It was good for Soph [Stapleford] to get a goal on her return to play and has done her confidence a world of good. It helps us as a team to know that we have players coming back into the team.
“I think there is a lot of trust in our group. It doesn’t matter the person who plays that role on the day, we are comfortable that they can come in a do a job.”
Wright confirmed that almost all players will be available for Sunday’s clash, with a few to undergo fitness testing this week, including Charlotte O’Connor who is recovering from a concussion.
For Lakes, they are hunting for their second win of the campaign after a mixed start in the opening seven rounds with one win, one draw and four losses.
They sit fifth on the table, five points outside of the top four and will be eager to stay in the hunt for finals in their maiden NPLW NNSW season.
They will also enter after a quick turnaround after they were knocked out of the Women’s League Cup by Charlestown Azzurri on Wednesday night with a 2-0 defeat.
Assistant coach Mick Hugo said that the group was positive after a mixed start to the season and that they would be delighted to return home with any points this weekend.
“We take each week as it comes and play what is in front of us. The girls are very positive on and off the pitch,” Hugo said.
“They [Maitland] are on a roll so it will be all hands on deck for us.
“You can’t not look at your opposition. You have to identify their strengths and make sure that you minimise how much time they are getting on the ball.
“Every week at the moment in the competition this year if it is one point or three points, they are valuable. This week and every week is tough.
“I think any points at any time in the season are crucial for any team. We would love to get some points.”
Hugo confirmed that all players would be available for the clash away from home.
Charlestown Azzurri v New Lambton FC
Lisle Carr Oval, Saturday 4pm
Charlestown Azzurri coach Heath Whyte is expecting a tight battle when his side go head-to-head with New Lambton at Lisle Carr Oval on Saturday afternoon.
The reigning champions had their eight NPLW NNSW game winning streak snapped by Maitland FC last weekend but bounced back on Wednesday night in the Women’s League Cup quarter-final to knock out Lake Macquarie City FC with a 2-0 win.
Whyte was disappointed with the loss but said that his side has put that behind them and is ready to go again this weekend.
“Our performance against Maitland wasn’t great. You don’t always get the result, no matter how hard you try. It was a frustrating afternoon,” Whyte said.
“There is no question that we had our opportunities but we failed to execute them.
“It was kind of a relief there as since the finals series we haven’t had a loss.
“But we now set that aside. Fundamentally, we know that we can play football. We ruled a line through the weekend. The girls are very positive.”
But Whyte said his side would not be complacent ahead of any fixture this season and was aware of the battle they will have against New Lambton this weekend.
“Tara has been playing good football and their midfield has been solid. They have good players across the park and are sitting in the top four early on. There is no doubt that they will be up there at the end of the season,” Whyte said.
“Tara is obviously a great player who is in form and hitting the back of the net well. She is someone that we need to be wary of. But we won’t structure players around Tara Andrews.
“We like to play attacking football. Our focus will remain on keeping the ball, being patient and finishing opportunities. We need to create plenty of chances and get a few in the back of the net to shift the balance of power in the game.
“We have to be well structured and well organised as they have key players.
“I think it is going to be a good and tight game. We will come into the weekend well prepared.
“It is a good quality competition and a lot tighter this year. I expect that every game is going to be difficult.”
Charlestown will be without captain Kirstyn Pearce (neck) and Sarah Knowles (injury). Gema Simon may also miss the match as she is managing her return to play from a calf and ankle injury.
The last time these two sides went head-to-head in round one, Azzurri displayed a dominant performance with a 5-1 win.
New Lambton’s winning streak also came to a crashing halt after they went down 5-1 to Newcastle Olympic last weekend. To add to their pain, they were knocked out of the Women’s League Cup on Tuesday night 5-1 against Adamstown Rosebud.
They sit fourth on the table with nine points, one behind Olympic in third and five clear of Lake Macquarie City FC in fifth position.
Coach Aaron Stedman said his side was disappointed to not continue their momentum but was confident that they could get themselves back on track and stay in the top four.
They will be determined to not make it three losses in one week and get themselves back in the winner’s circle.
Newcastle Olympic v Broadmeadow Magic
Darling Street Oval, Saturday 4pm
Newcastle Olympic will be eager to keep the good times rolling when they welcome Broadmeadow Magic to Darling Street Oval on Saturday afternoon.
These two sides will go head-to-head for the second time this week after Olympic came out on top to knock Magic out in the quarter finals of the Women’s League Cup with a 3-1 win on Tuesday night.
Olympic are yet to secure three points on home turf this season but will enter this weekend’s clash full of confidence after they bounced back from a run of poor results with a 5-1 win over New Lambton FC.
They sit third on the table, six points behind league leaders Maitland.
Craig Atkins was impressed with his side’s response to their blip in performances and would hope that they continue their form in front of a home crowd this weekend.
Magic will hope that some fresh blood will help turn their campaign around after a disappointing start with one win from six matches and sit at the bottom of the table.
Coach Jason Konjarski has added Adamstown Rosebud JFC duo 2024 Young Player of the Year Tori Johnson, Madalyn Campbell and Georgia Minors to their squad.
Johnson and Campbell are eligible to play for Magic straight away, with Johnston scoring in her debut for the club in the Women’s League Cup. While Minors will have to play in reserve grade until the transfer window opens in May.
Adamstown Rosebud JFC – Bye
